Nintendo’s 3DS not living up to Iwata’s financial expectations

When Nintendo first released their 3DS back in February for the Japanese market and March for the US/EU market, it picked up a good number of early adopters and console fanatics who just had to have it. Now, a couple of months later Nintendo has crunched through their sales numbers. … and figured out the baking sales didn’t quite go as hoped for.

Expected to sell at least 4 million units by the end of its fical year, they only sold 3.61 million, leaving quite a big gap in expected vs actual revenue. Company’s CEO Satoru Iwata is still keeping his head on straight and is expecting this summer to be good for handheld sales. His main pointers to combat the slump in sales were: Increasing customers understanding of 3D and showing them the benefits of not needing glasses to enjoy a full 3D experience.

We would rather say, how about dropping the exhuberant price on games to something more rational (see iTunes store for example). Also, the battery lasts about 3h in Wifi/3D enabled mode, an oldskool PSP does better… and then we haven’t even touched the subject of the glassesless 3D being inappropriate for small children, giving some people nausea, dizziness and other effects similar to binge drinking.

@ jm2c
if YOU “dont care for 3D” why did you comment on this article? how did you even come acrosss ir? i smell a liar… Also, I do agree 250 is pretty steep… but you cant expect a compnay to sell something cheap or at a good price AT LAUNCH, Its Company Rule 101. Im sure they will lower the price in about a year and 2 months (or so). Lastly, the battery life is overblown … it actually lasts closer to 4 hours and if you wnt to be playing games, watching netflix or surfing the wb for more than 4 hours you need to get a life. Of course a longer batterylife and 200 sell point would be great… but i promise you it wont happen till June 2012.. so if your ARE willing to wait that long that be your choice.. just dont complain about it meanwhile.

@Guilhem
ITS the LAUNCH!.. its only been out for less than a month and a half (In the US). They could have maybe had some better games (first party) at leaunch INSTEAD of 3rd party games. BUT if they would hacve done this None of the 3rd party developers would have signed on to do games for the Nintendo 3DS. See, Nintendo game them a sort of “15 Second: head start… that way 3rd party titles dont HAVE to go up against GREAT Nintendo 1st party Games (like marion / zelda). Yes this kind of sucks for the consumer but it was trully for the beniffet of the developers and to attract more developers to the 3DS in order for them to make games for the 3DS for th consumer benefit in the LONG run. IN SHORT… BE PATIENT ITS NOT LIKE THE GAMES AT LAUNCH WILL BE THE ONLY GAMES TO COME OUT FOR THE 3DS EVER. IF YOU LIKE (LOVE) NINTENDO FOR NOSTALGIC REASONS OF FOR THE WII’s CASUAL GAMER “TAKE” THEN YOU CAN BE CERTAIN THAT THE 3DS WILL NOT DISSAPOINT.

Anonymous

I commented because I’m a Nintendo fan that did not buy the 3DS. I’ve had every Gameboy and DS (even the DSi XL) that’s come out and while I would like to like the 3DS it’s the first portable from Nintendo that I’m not getting. Every portable from Nintendo has been less than $200 at launch. 3DS is much more advanced, but I still think more than $200 is too much. That is why I did not buy a PSP. I don’t see the price going down in 2012 unless a new version is announced or if it does not sell well. 4 hours is still much too little especially if you take it on long trips and don’t charge it every time. I don’t play 4 hours straight (usually), but I often don’t charge it. 6-10 hours would be good. Battery life is another reason I got a DS instead of a PSP when they first came out. As for 3D… I’m one of those that can’t see 3D well (I wish I could) and gets headaches, so I don’t care for it. So, one of the biggest selling points of the 3DS does not apply to me unfortunately. Luckily you can turn it off

I’m not complaining. These are just the reasons I don’t buy a 3DS. I’m still happy with my DSi XL and there are a lot of games I still haven’t played.

Smartingen

I wouldn’t expect there to be hundreds of games available at launch.. of even a double digit number, but there should at least have been ONE game worth getting.. and there isn’t. The launch lineup is pathetic! Still however, its the region lock that blows it for me, it means that getting a 3DS is out of the question unless a flashcart or another hack becomes available.

Anonymous

3 reasons I am not buying a 3DS:
- I don’t care for 3D
- $250 is too expensive for a handheld that is mainly for games
- Most importantly the bad battery life

I’d get one if they come out with a new version with 10 hours battery life which is less than $200.

Billjon

The 3d player is small.The DSIXL has 3d games that look just like the new 3d player.Looksley Line Up is a fantastic 3d game that cost 200 points DSIWARE.I do not like the small screens on the 3d.I hope Nintendo does well with the 3d market but it will listen to the players.We will see change at Nintendo.

Smartingen

My biggest issue is the fact that it’s region locked.. Region locking is stupid and will piss off customers unless absolutely everything is available to everyone at the same time… region locking a portable console is beyond stupid!

Anonymous

Same for me… Region locking sucks… And just for that I will not get a 3DS… Will rather push developers to go to NGP or and especially on Android or iPhone (Region locking on iPhone Apps is so easy to bypass legally)

http://www.norwichretrogaming.co.uk/ Norwich Retro Gaming

Just wait until there are some decent games on it, such as Ocarina of Time, then watch the sales soar!

Neodimio

i like the hardware specs of the 3DS as a tech nerd/geek, but the high price…. its a no-no.